Sparks of Joy That Burn Brightly

Sparks of Joy That Burn Brightly

While doing some Konmari in my office last week, I found this…

IMG_1099 It is the first thing I ever created. I was about 5 years old and my Nana (who was an amazing seamstress) was sewing and I wanted more than anything to learn. She helped me make this pin cushion. I cut out the pieces under her guidance and sewed them on her sewing machine. I was infinitely proud of this small project and a crafter was born. I used this pin cushion for a long time, and then it got packed away with the sewing machine – both sitting long forgotten for a good number of years. The sewing machine is out and back in use now, but I had entirely forgotten the pin cushion until I found it cleaning out my office.

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Thursday Things

Thursday Things

I have been obsessed with the patterns by JumperCables lately, especially this and this and this! Do I think any of them would look good on me? No. But that does not stop me from thinking about them. There is one that I think I can pull off – Puddle. This seems like an excellent summer project, mindless knitting that would not fill my lap and the end result would give me a lovely warm cowl come fall.

Konmari and my office have become such great friends. Now, to figure out what to do with over 200 CD’s… Seems kind of wasteful to throw them away (not to mention not environmentally nice) and I really don’t want another box of stuff to put somewhere. Any ideas would be appreciated…

I am so proud of Daughter Number 2 – this week she donated over 500 ounces of breast milk to some in need moms. And, she has over 700 ounces more to give. She is a super mom in my book!

I have been enjoying Sonya Philip’s Periscope broadcasts each week – she has great, thought-provoking conversation. If you have not tried Periscope – you should. A great way to get quick, fun updates from a variety of sources. Ones I especially love – Ysolda, Goulet Pens, and Kay Gardiner (especially when she reads through the latest Rowan Magazine…)

Making mistakes work is something that does not always happen. However, this week I had one that worked incredibly well. Best mistake ever…bias tape on the outside FTW!

As for now I am heading to watch some Netflix and work on finishing some projects before Easter gets here!

Give Me Just One More Hour

Give Me Just One More Hour

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life. – Charles Darwin

This week Carole wants to know: 10 Things You Would Do With An Extra Hour in the Day

So, Gentle Reader, this is what I would do with my Golden Hour:

  1. Cut out and sew one pair of Pants No. 1 from the amazing Sonya Phillips of 100 Acts of Sewing Fame. I know this is completely possible as I timed myself yesterday! FYI – the pants are AWESOME!
  2. Unplug… From the computer, from the phone, from the television.
  3. Read. Simply read. Not the crawl into bed at the end of the day reading, but pure, unadulterated, selfish daytime reading. There is not enough of this in my life.
  4. Talk a walk with my camera and not my iPhone.
  5. Stitch. I have been a slacker on my daily stitching – which is sad, because I enjoy it.
  6. Do something for someone else – volunteer my time or make something for someone in need.
  7. Take a class to learn something new.
  8. And, practice it!
  9. Call a friend and LISTEN! So much of the time I talk more and listen less.
  10. Konmari the dreaded kitchen junk drawer… although this might require more than one hour!

There is what I would do with an extra hour, please tell me what you would do!

Leap Days and Mondays

Leap Days and Mondays

Every four years we get an extra day and today, Gentle Reader, is that day! I am not sure that having an extra Monday is the best thing. But, what is a day – right?

And, it is certainly much more than a leap second! Even Google and Apple think so! And, perhaps it won’t be at all like a normal Monday!

I have big plans for my extra day – plans of tracing, cutting, and sewing. Okay, maybe that is a bit much for just one extra day, but at the very least, I want to get everything traced and cut out!

Hopefully, this stack of fabric will be transformed into pants, dresses, and pillows by the end of this extra day!

I hope your extra day is filled with all the extras you love and none of the usual Mondayness.

Right Now

Right Now

Konmari: In my office, the place I have resisted long enough. This is daunting and more than a little scary because, this will involve a realistic look at yarn and fiber – a painful task to be sure. But, I will gird my loins and face the lions today! I am determined to be a conqueror! Hopefully…

Entirely Over: Politics! When did politics become an eternal process? How many debates do we really need? Especially when the same things are said over, and over, and over, and over. And this is not something that is one-sided, both parties are guilty! In my opinion, this is the most undemocratic process ever. It feels more like we have all somehow been banished to some horrid Political Hell!

Knitting: The serious assessment of projects is taking place and today ushers in Yarn Reclamation Day – yes, that is right, Gentle Reader, some projects will be taking a trip to the FROG Pond. Thank you Kym for the tender recommendation. Things not heading to the Frog Pond are this and this which I hope to finish this weekend!

Listening: I am catching up today with Serial and Morning on the Dock, and if I am still not done with the demolition, err, KonMari activities, then Diana Krall Radio on Pandora will be my support.

Anticipating: The new season of House of Cards, which is coming out March 4 and the new season of Happy Valley which will be available mid-March. Garrison Keillor’s last broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theatre tomorrow night.

Enjoying: Periscope’s with fun and useful information – Thank you Ysolda and Sonya for these amazing little mini lessons to break up my day and inspire my creativity!

Planning: A week of sewing with plans of getting some new pillows done for the living room, also, another Dress #2 and pair number one of Pants #1!

That’s it for today, have a good weekend everyone! See you all back here on Monday!

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